Free Trade: Are You for or Against It?

Free Trade: Are You for or Against It?

  • Submitted By: noufina
  • Date Submitted: 04/09/2010 1:03 AM
  • Category: Business
  • Words: 2089
  • Page: 9
  • Views: 3

I. Introduction
According to Alan Greenspan, "Free trade is a continuing battle and one that is never won" (Ayers 76). The objective of free trade is to liberalize international trade. In other words, it is the ability to trade without bearing the weight of some, not all, tariffs, quotes, subsidies and other distortions of trade ("Pros and Cons").
This does not mean that free trade is rule-free; there are several rules that have been made against human-trafficking and shipments of cocaine (Lea 11-18). Up until today, many people argue whether they support free trade or oppose it. Other than it being a "battle that is never won", it is also a never-ending battle. Globally, the ability to trade freely is a form of uniting countries; however, some countries prefer to trade under rules and barriers (also known as protectionism).
II. Positives
For the benefit of free trade, the tariffs that are present will weaken the supply and demand patterns, weaken international relations, restrict manufacturer’s supply sources and increase government control over the economy (Edge). Free trade also increases the size of a company in a market resulting in lower costs and increased productivity. The cause here being the lower costs because of free trade thus the increase in productivity. In other words, free trade allows companies to purchase a greater supply of raw materials at a lower price, which in return helps make the increased productivity costs (or production costs) cheaper. This allows the companies to cut costs, thus increasing the revenue ("The Pros and Cons").
It is known that there is competition everywhere and with everything, especially trade, but with the free trade the companies will be able to deliver the same products or services as competitors but at a lower cost or deliver benefits that exceed those of competing products. Putting it another way, competition will lead to keeping prices low and producing new efficient and innovative products. America...

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